Wayzata upends No. 2 Eden Prairie

Wayzata receiver Daeshawn Bush (6) celebrates his short TD reception with quarterback Thomas Schmidt (14) in the first half. Photo: DAVID JOLES • david.joles@startribune.com

Friday felt like old times in Wayzata’s rivalry with Eden Prairie.

Not since 2013 had both teams, winners of a combined 14 Prep Bowls, been ranked in the top three of the Associated Press poll. Don’t blame Eden Prairie, which won 11 of those titles. It maintained its lofty status with a run that included annual Wayzata beatings. For the rivalry to again flourish, the Trojans needed to re-establish themselves.

A 17-7 victory Friday in a battle of unbeatens did the job.

No. 3 Wayzata (5-0) spoiled homecoming for No. 2 Eden Prairie (4-1) by winning in a fashion its hosts know well: Strong defense and running game. No turnovers. Pouncing on opportunities.

“I’m not going to lie to you, it feels really good,” senior quarterback Thomas Schmidt said of the Trojans’ first victory against Eden Prairie since 2012. “Something is just different about this team. We didn’t just make a step up from last season. It was a leap.”

Schmidt and Daeshawn Bush connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass as Wayzata took a 7-0 lead. The Trojans doubled their lead late in the first half with a scoring drive best described as Eden Prairie-esque. A clock-bleeding, confidence-shaking jaunt worth more than the seven points produced.

Two third-down conversions and another on fourth down propelled the 75-yard drive. Running back Christian Vasser, who moved the chains on third down each time, finished the drive with an 8-yard scoring run.

Photo gallery: Wayzata vs. Eden Prairie

The Trojans needed to do more than feed Vasser, who battled nagging injuries this week after carrying the ball 64 times in the past two games. Schmidt connected on several bubble screens, quick throws to receivers positioned parallel to the line of scrimmage.

Strong play-calling and execution produced a 14-0 lead with 31 seconds left in the first half. But Schmidt wasn’t celebrating. A year ago, these teams fought to the end in a 35-34 Eden Prairie victory. The lesson: Don’t relax.

Sure enough, the Eagles responded. A fake punt on their opening drive of the second half worked to perfection. Senior Jack Hedlund, who replaced junior David Warren-Mitchell at quarterback in the second half, ensured the surprise first down resulted in points. A few plays later, Johnny Hartle ran in a 2-yard touchdown.

Ahead 14-7, Wayzata got a huge break in the fourth quarter as senior inside linebacker Casey Winterer recovered a fumble by Eden Prairie’s punt returner at the Eagles’ 15-yard line.

Peter Melquist kicked a 27-yard field goal and Eden Prairie faced a two-possession deficit with 5:22 left. The Eagles fell short, mustering only one offensive touchdown for a second consecutive week.

“It’s a big win for our kids,” Wayzata coach Lambert Brown said. “You want to beat the best and that’s a great program. To go out and beat them, that’s a measure of how we’re doing.”

First report

The streak is over.

Wayzata’s 17-7 victory at Eden Prairie spoiled the Eagles’ homecoming and gave the Trojans their first victory against their rivals since 2012.

The big play of the second half was a muffed Eden Prairie punt return that Wayzata recovered at the Eagles’ 15-yard line. A resulting field goal gave the Trojans a 17-7 lead.

Wayzata doubled its lead late in the first half with a scoring drive best described as Eden Prairie-esque. A clock-bleeding, will-breaking jaunt worth more than the seven points produced.

A pair of third-down conversions and another on fourth down propelled the 75-yard drive. Running back Chrisitan Vasser, who moved the chains on third down each time, finished the drive with an 8-yard run. Wayzata led 14-0 with 31 seconds left in the first half.

A quarterback change and a fake punt led to Eden Prairie’s only score. Backup quarterback Jack Hedlund led the scoring drive in the third quarter.

Check back later for more on the game.

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